Thank you :)

Surat Thani

Surat Thani

We spent the last full day of my trip in Surat Thani at a huge school competition. Kids from all over the region came to compete in spelling and geography bees, concerts, and plays. It was great getting to know some of Joe's fellow farang teachers and catch a glimpse of life few tourists get to see. I also definitely developed a better understanding of "Thai Time," and decided I would go nuts if I never knew what time anything was supposed to happen!

Night Market

It was low season while I was in Krabi and the night market was unusually quiet.

And for Dinner...

I would be remiss if I didn't also mention, a year ago today I ate (L-R) raw shrimp, raw pig intestines, red ants and red ant eggs, with a side of clams. Eating ants is more of a mental challenge than anything, after the first bite it's easy to dig in again. Aside from the wings, which get caught in your teeth, they are just crunchy indistinct, ants covered in butter.

Krabi Town Wandering

By the end of my trip the photographer in me was aching with the dread of missed opportunity. One day, while Joe was teaching, I wandered around his neighborhood with my film camera in hopes of capturing some credible images.

I was only able to say, hello, thank you, I'm sorry, and picture? but some how managed to have a wonderful morning with perfect strangers. This family in particular was incredibly welcoming and let me hang out for awhile.

As the bell tower beckoned the predominately muslim neighborhood to prayer, I found my way past the buffalo, the hairdresser, and the clothes line drying, hoping with every ounce of me that the above moment turned out the way I had seen it from behind the viewfinder.

Lost In The Trees

If you haven't had a chance to check out Chapel Hill based Lost In The Trees, you should. Their unique blend of orchestral folk is, as Bob Boilen put it, "mighty potent stuff." They are my go to headphones on, volume up, any time of day escape. Seeing them today was a true treat and I may or may not have blushed fiercely after spotting Ari in the hall and gushing my fandom.

Noodle Soup

My yearning for noodle soup didn't end for weeks.

Long Boats on Phi Phi

Phi Phi was Brit boys filled, stormy, fire ropes, and blister burns.

Phi Phi

Twin, kindred spirit

Prom Thep Cape

Papaya Salad

I miss the food so much. I really developed a tolerance to spicy things in Thailand, to the point where I really craved the heat. On my way home I ordered a falafel sandwich in ATL and promptly dumped hot sauce all over it.

Mountain Resort

While who actually owns the mountain resort may be a source of contention, there is no denying it is an absolutely stunning location.

Wat Tam Sua Temple

This time last year I briefly considered becoming a buddhist after climbing 1,237steps at noon to reach the big Buddha.

This Time Last Year...

I had been in Thailand for two days after 36 hours of travel from DC. Yesterday, was a beach full of monkeys, today a year ago was a five island boat tour via long boat. I'm missing the land of smiles this week.